Part 2, Chapter 18 Summary

The Imam begins the fable about Ali Ali, Michael's grandfather. Ali was born in India and his real name was Hamed Chothia. He was born in the early 1890s, when India was still ruled by Britain. When he is seventeen, a British solider rapes his younger sister, Hajera. No one believes Hajera's accusations of rape even after she is found to be pregnant. The solider accuses her and the family of trying to disgrace him, stating that he is engaged to a nice English woman and that he has no need to rape an Indian. The family is angry with Hajera for bringing up the accusation rather than keeping it quiet. His sister is sent away to another village and she gives birth in a state hospital. The baby dies while Hajera is feeding her and she is charged with murder...